Navarro Vineyards - 2014 Edelzwicker

2014 Edelzwicker
Anderson Valley, Mendocino
- (750 ml) Sold Out!

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Three’s the charm

In order for Navarro's Edelzwicker to be true to its Alsatian roots there are only four grape varieties that we blend into Navarro's Edelzwicker: Gewürztraminer, Riesling, Pinot Gris and Muscat à petits grains blanc. For the final blend to be totally satisfying it usually takes at least three of these grape varieties in the cuvée so that no one variety's flavor dominates. In 2014, we had spectacular conditions for the production of a cluster select late harvest Riesling, so we dedicated our second largest Riesling field to sweet wine, leaving us with substantially less dry Riesling than in prior vintages. Not only were we unable to produce enough of the wine we label as Anderson Valley Riesling, but the wine from this grape variety also became the limiting ingredient in the 2014 Edelzwicker.

Dumping Gewürz grapes into a grape destemmer's hopper. During harvest we mounted a GoPro camera on the front of our forklift; the white picking bin (foreground) is about ten feet in the air and is being rotated so that the grapes fall directly into the stainless steel hopper below.

Justin Sawyer getting into (left) and getting out of (right) an oak oval. Navarro's Edelzwicker was cool fermented and aged in seasoned European oak ovals; the casks vary in size from 250 to 1,500 gallons. In June, after the wine has been removed for bottling, we have to get inside to clean them. This isn't easy when you're a strapping six foot six.

Fortunately, we had a nice array of Gewürz and Pinot Gris wines to choose from to blend with the scanty supply of Riesling. Selecting the final blend took only three tastings, much fewer than usual. The grapes from three vineyard sites utilized in this 2014 cuvée were fermented and aged for eight months in French oak ovals before blending with a dash of Muscat in the spring of 2015. This wine is perfect for summertime sipping by itself, or on the patio, deck or beach with a bit of Pennyroyal cheese. Since we produced a lot less than normal don't wait too long to order. Gold Medal winner.

Specifications

Harvested: Aug. 29 to Oct. 3, 2014
Sugars at harvest: 24.2° Brix
Bottled: May 4, 2015
Cases produced: 1051
Alcohol: 13.0%
Residual sugars: 1.7%
Titratable acidity: 7.1 g/L
pH: 3.31

2018 Edelzwicker

"The word Edelzwicker translates to “Noble Blend” and though Navarro markets this wine as a fun, fruity quaffer, it certainly is not without nobility. A mix of the best of Alsace varieties, it’s a wine that Jim Klein and his team obviously pay as much attention to as everything else that they make. Racy acidity is up to the off dry profile, making for a tasty mix of stone fruit, lychee and spice that finishes in long, come back and see me soon fashion. Love it!" WineReveiewOnline.com

2015 Edelzwicker

This engaging blend of Pinot Gris, Riesling, Muscat and Gewurztraminer is one of Navarro’s most popular wines. Forward fruit conveys a hint of sweetness that pairs wonderfully well with somewhat spicy dishes that are so common in Arizona.John Vankat, Arizona Daily Sun, January 11, 2017.

2014 Edelzwicker

Aromas of honeysuckle, honey and ripe peach are bright and enticing in this slightly sweet, smooth fruit bowl of a wine. Medium body and mild acidity make it easy to drink. The sweetness and fruitiness should pair nicely with cheeses and spicy foods.- Jim Gordon, Wine Enthusiast, December 1, 2015.

2013 Edelzwicker

This almost clear colored Edelzwicker is a very nice value wine. It opens up with a pleasant mild pineapple and lychee like bouquet. On the palate, this wine is mildly sweet, slightly acidic and mouthwatering. The flavor profile is a tasty ripe pineapple with notes of minerality, lychee and orange. The finish is semi-sweet and its ripe flavors linger nicely. This wine would pair well with orange Chinese chicken. Ken Hoggins, KensWineGuide.com, January 23, 2015.

13.4 percent alcohol, $15. **** A gorgeous, aromatic white with fleshy fruit and a lush texture. Layered flavors of honeysuckle, white peach and a hint of mineral. Lingering finish. Striking. .PEG MELNIK, THE PRESS DEMOCRAT, February,4 2014.

2012 Edelzwicker

Another such wine with a dramatic history is Navarro’s superb Edelzwicker, which is aged in old oak ovals to give it added depth. At $15, it’s one of the wine world’s greatest white wine bargains. .Dan Berger, Vintage Experiences, July 18, 2013.

2011 Edelzwicker

This very pale yellow color white blend is always very good and a great deal. It opens with an inviting and gentle peach bouquet. On the palate this wine is light bodied, balanced and crisp. The flavor profile is a tangerine and peach blend with a touch of mineralty mixed in. The finish is semi-dry and pleasantly refreshing. This wine is a nice poolside wine to enjoy with coconut shrimp. Enjoy Ken Hoggins, KensWineGuide.com, August 16, 2012.

A lovely white with aromas and flavors of peach, apricot and mineral. Balanced. Bright and lively. Peg Melnik, Press Democrat, July 2, 2012.

2010 Edelzwicker

This white blend from Navarro is an absolute steal at $13! It is pale yellow colored and opens with a fragrant peach and lychee bouquet. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied, nicely balanced, and slightly sweet. The flavor profile is a very tasty peach and ripe lychee blend with a hint of minerality and apricot. The finish is semi-dry and drifts away nicely. This white blend is a terrific combination and would be a very nice complement to linguine with a white clam sauce or chicken lo-mein. Enjoy - Ken Hoggins, KensWineGuide.com, December 1, 2011.

Bargain of the Week. This blend of Gewurz and Riesling is so floral you’ll be ready for a sweet wine, but its 1.5% r.s. keeps the flavors ahead of the texture,making for a wine ideal for Thai food.Dan Berger, Vintage Experiences, Aug. 08, 2011.

2009 Edelzwicker

Spiced floral fruit (from a Gewurztraminer base) with stone fruit and a trace of sweetness, allowing it to pair with all sorts of highly spiced foods.Dan Berger, Vintage Experiences, Aug. 12, 2010.

2008 Edelzwicker

An unusual offering, the 2008 Edelzwicker, Anderson Valley, is a blend of Gewürztraminer, Riesling, and Pinot Gris with just a dollop (2%) of Muscat. A nose of floral, spice, crisp apple, and Bosc pear continues onto the palate where the fruit is first and flavors have a slight sweetness well balanced with acidity. It finishes medium-broad and medium-long. Well put together, this would make an almost perfect wine for a warm afternoon on the deck or for a picnic or to pair with spicy food. Very Tasty. BEST BUY. Harold Baer, www.haroldbaerwine.com, February 8, 2011.

Rose petal, lychee and peach notes jump out of the glass, with a whiff of petrol giving way to stone fruit and apple flavors. Nicely spicy and very juicy. Gewürztraminer, Riesling, Pinot Gris and Muscat. Drink now. 1,596 cases made Maryann Worobiec, Wine Spectator, Web Only 2010.

This pale yellow colored white blend is very appealing and a heck of deal. In addition, it would be a perfect wine for Thanksgiving. This wine opens with

This is a blend of Gewürztraminer Riesling and Pinot Gris. This wine is deliciously balanced and, at this price, a super restaurant by the glass sipper. It's very crisp and fruity-spicy, and finishes a little sweet in honey vanilla. Nice by itself, or with Asian or Indian food. Best Buy.- Steve Heimoff, Wine Enthusiast, November 15, 2008.

a light lychee like bouquet. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied, balanced, and shows gentle acidity. The flavor profile is a tasty Clementine and lychee blend with a hint of lime and spice. The finish is dry and nicely refreshing. This is a very enjoyable quaffing wine that will be a crowd pleaser. It will pair well with your turkey or even cashew chicken Ken Hoggins, Kenswineguide.com, November 12, 2009.

2007 Edelzwicker

2006 Edelzwicker

A lovely wine for the money, made from riesling, gewürztraminer, and pinot gris grapes. Enticing flower aromas, with a palate of litchi and lime. Our favorite wine to have with Thanksgiving leftovers, or for any holiday lunch, don't be surprised when this turns up on my holiday wine picks this year. Excellent QPR - Good Wines Under $20, Friday, October 12, 2007.

Navarro's latest Alsatian style blend of Riesling, Gewürztraminer and Pinot Gris has a nice dose of cinnamon on the nose in addition to the blossomy floral notes. There's an edgy crispness and just a hint of sugar on a modest finish. Vibrant and very food-friendly. - Jon Bonné, San Francisco Chronicle, August 10, 2007.

2002 Edelzwicker

Bargain of the Week. A blend of Gewürztraminer and Riesling, with an aroma that’s startlingly fresh and spicy. Perfectly balanced wine to match with Asian foods or to sip as an aperitif. A great value. - Dan Berger’s Vintage Experiences, August 14, 2003.

2001 Edelzwicker

Wine of the Month. Upon tasting this exceedingly well-done selection from Navarro, everyone on wine staff looked at each other and smiled... You'll smile too when you taste this scrumptious production that's simply the perfect call as our November "Wine-of-the-Month!" It leads off with a highly aromatic nose of cinnamon stick, white peach and melon followed by an exquisitely balanced palate of assorted stone fruits; including nectarine and comice pear, along with significant strands of golden delicious apple, quince and crème brûlée. Nuances of litchi, lemon zest and Asian star fruit and accented wonderfully by the wine's underpinnings of slate, zesty acidity and rocky minerality. In short, this wine is a tour de force endeavor that showcases a harmonious marriage of two grape varietals ideally suited for each other. - Hi-Time Wine Cellars, November 2002.

2000 Edelzwicker

Gewürz-like, with nice spiciness. Off-dry finish. Best Buy. - Laurie Daniel, San Jose Mercury News, August 29, 2001.